861.00/5845a
The Secretary of State to President Wilson
Dear Mr. President: I am enclosing for your consideration a report upon the Russian situation73 which sets forth the present conditions, their causes, their importance to other nations and the necessity of correcting these conditions so far as possible, together with certain suggestions as to means which would seem practicable for the accomplishment of this change. I believe the time has come when it is important to lay the whole matter before Congress and to obtain, if possible, the necessary legislation to aid in the economic rehabilitation of the Russian nation. I would suggest therefore, if it meets with your approval, that this report to you be transmitted to Congress with a recommendation that it should receive its consideration and such action as is necessary.
You will perceive that the power to continue aid for Russia is about to end and that unless Congress acts we will be helpless to continue our present policy. If you approve of the report and are desirous of continuing to help the Russian people, of which of course I have no question, I would recommend the speedy transmission of the report by a brief message to Congress without going into detail.
In this connection I desire to call your attention to the enclosed resolution which has been submitted in the House of Representatives by Mr. Rhodes74 and which impresses me still more with the urgency of our defining our policy as regards Russia.
Faithfully yours,
- No enclosures with file copy of this letter; for excerpts from this report, see Foreign Relations, 1919, Russia, p. 451.↩
- H. Res. 398, 66th Cong., 2d sess., requesting the Secretary of State to supply information about the Government’s Siberian policy.↩